Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Rootsweb ID: I415915 Birth Record: 9 April 1888 in Cudlee Creek, South Australia

Father William Dickson (b. 21/7/1848 Adelaide, SA - d. 30/8/1920 Parkside, SA)
Mother Annie Dickson (nee Anderson  b. 2/5/1852 Adelaide, SA - d. 11/8/1933 Clarence Pk, SA)
living at 63 Castle Street, Parkside, South Australia.

Siblings:
Brother:  Andrew James Dickson  -  b. 7/10/1879 Charleston, SA - d. 18/12/1879 Charleston SA
Sister:     Elenor Pearson (Dickson) - b. 21/11/1877 Charleston, SA - d.
              m. Stephen William Henry Pearson (b. 1880 - d. 1964)
Sister:     Jessie Hillier (Dickson) - b. 6/8/1875 Charleston, SA
               m. Edwin Hillier -  b. 1845 - d. 1905
Sister:     Laura Carling (Dickson) - b. 24/7/1873 Charleston, SA - d. 27/8/1966 in Brighton, SA)
               m. Richard Carling  -  b. 1865
Brother:   Bruce Horace Dickson  -  b. 22/4/1886 Jamestown, SA - d. 1886 Jamestown, SA
Brother:   Harrold Dickson  -  b. 23/9/1883 Charleston, SA - d. 3/11/1929 in Balmain, NSW
               m. Mary Fanny Dickson (Caldwell)  -  b.  est. between 1851 and 1911
Sister:     Ida Dickson  -  b. 18/2/1881 Charleston, SA - d. 1961
Sister:     Mona Mureal Barret (Dickson)  -  b. 18/8/1892 Port Germein, SA
               m. John Cleveland Barret  -  b. est. between 1864 and 1924


Described on enlisting as 27yrs old; single; 5' 7.5" tall; 143 lbs;
dark complexion; grey eyes; dark brown; Methodist

24/11/1914      enlisted at Oaklands, SA
                       appointed to AAMC Base Depot, Oaklands

15/3/1915        appointed to 1st Australian Stationary Hospital, 4th reinforcements

1/4/1915          embarked from Outer Harbour, Port Adelaide, SA, onboard HMAT A17 Port Lincoln
                       Private in Australian Stationary Hospital 1, Reinforcement 4

25/4/1915        proceeded to join Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces, Gallipoli, ANZAC
13/6/1915        joined No.1 Stationary Hospital, ex Lemnos
13/12/1915      joined Base from Anzac, Mudros
17/12/1915      to South Pier for HS, Anzac Base, Mudros
21/12/1915      SS Saturnia, Mudros
29/12/1915      disembarked from HT Donnegan Castle, from Mudros, Alexandria
8/3/1916          discharged from hospital, Ismalis
19/3/1916        tonsilitis, admitted to 1st Australian Stationary Hospital, Ismalia
1/8/1916          evacuated from Gallipoli

29/2/1916        invalided sick to hospital
30/3/1916        discharged from hopsital
17/4/1916        admitted to 3rd Australian General Hospital
19/4/1916        taken on strength of 1st Australian Stationary Hospital
7/5/1916          rejoined unit from hospital

14/9/1916        embarked overseas for UK, ex Alexandria
4/10/1916        marched out to Orchard Con. Hospital, Darford, England

5/1/1917          Influenza - admitted to 3rd Auxillary Hospial, Dartford, London
20/1/1917        rejoined staff from hospital

31/3/1917        taken on strength of 16th Head Ambulance, England

6/4/1917          proceeding overseas to France, ex Folkestone
                       ex Australian Medical Corps Training Depot, 2 Camp, Parkhouse

21/4/1917        taken on strength of 3rd Battalion, France

19/5/1917        mumps - admitted to 6th Field Ambulance in the field
13/6/1917        discharged to duty

Driver in 1st Mechanical Transport Company

24/9/1917        Recommended for Military Medal (MM)
“At Glencourse Wood, France on 21st Sept 1917 and throughout the Battle of MENIN WOOD this stretcher bearer displayed exceptional courage.  He was a member of a squad working in open country clearing from Regimental Aid Posts.  His squad had been evacuating the frontline for four days previous to the offensive on the 20th.  With his NCO, Private Dickson continued on duty throughout the 1st Australian Division Operations until relieved on the morning of the 23rd.  The shelling of the country over which they were working was practically continuous and often intense; being in the field the line of the large calibre shell barrage and in the early part of the offensive of the smaller calibre barrage, through which they carried without pause, in order to keep the forward positions clear.  His steadiness and courage and high example was noted and reported to me by my own officers and by others and confirmed by my own observation.”  Lieutenant Colonel C.O. No.3 Aust Field Ambulance

12/10/1917      Recommended - Mention in Despatches (MID)
'Untiring energy and inspiring example while in charge of squad of bearers.'

11/1/1918        granted leave to Paris
21/1/1918        rejoined unit

28/1/1918        London Gazette:  Awarded MILITARY MEDAL

3/3/1918          granted leave to UK
21/3/1918        rejoined unit

19/8/1918        granted leave to Boulogne, France
23/8/1918        rejoined unit in the field

18/9/1918        Recommended - MENTION IN DESPATCHES
“Recommended for bravery and devotion to his duty.  In the offensive o 1st Aust Division on the 18th Sept 1918.  Private Darcy Elliot Dickson was one of a squad which did very meritorious work.  His personal courage was at all times conspicuous, his efforts untiring and by his disregard of personal danger and fatigue he contributed largely to the rapid and successful evacuation of wounded from the line.”  By Lieutenant Colonel C.O. of No.3 Australian Field Ambulance.

11/12/1918      transferred to 1st Australian Field Company in the field

12/2/1919        reverted to Private in 1st Australian Stationary Hospital, 3rd Field Ambulance
 
27/3/1919        returned to Australia onboard Kunic, ex England

21/5/1919        admitted to ships hospital, at sea
25/5/1919        discharged from ships hospital

10/6/1919        disembarked into Australia

8/8/1919          discharged from service

Medals              Military Medal; 1914/15 Star (3785); British War medal (2788);
                        and Victory medal (2761)

Darcy Elliot Dickson became a REVERAND.

1st marriage:    Margaret Dickson (Fisher) - b. 16/6/1885 Forreston SA - d. 1960        
Daughter          Hazel Dickson (b & d. 1921)
Son:                Warren Dickson (b. 24/2/1925 Renmark, SA - d. 12/2/2004)
Son:                Neville Darcy Dickson (b. 25/7/1928 Pinnaroo, SA - d. 8/12/1928 Woodville, SA)

2nd marriage:
Wife:               Mary Olive Dickson (Bowley) - b. 1924 Clare, SA - d. 2003
Son:                Guy Dickson (b. 1966)

NOK in service:

Brother-in-laws:  (Wife - Mary's brothers)
SX3186   WWII - Corporal Reginald Alfred Bowley
                            Australian Army - Discharge 1 Independent Company
    21/5/1940    enlisted at Clare, SA
    13/12/1944  discharged from service
    8/11/2000    passed away
    buried in:      Clare Cemetery, SA

416015   WWII - Flying Officer Robert George Bowley (DFC)
                            RAAF - 10 Squadron
     3/3/1941     enlisted into WWII
     29/1/1943   London Gazette - awarded  DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
     17/5/1943   killed in flying accident - over Atlantic Ocean (at sea) - off UK Coast

Son:   (Darcy's son from 1st marriage):
442903   WWII - Leading Aircraftman Warren Dickson
                            RAAF - Area Finance Office Adelaide
     25/3/1944    enlisted in Adelaide    
     17/7/1945    discharged
     12/2/2004    passed away Daw Park
     cremated:     Centennial Park Cemetery
                        Derrick Gardens, Path 56, Grave 1370B
                        Interment Right Expiry 31/05/2056

Last lived at 15 Collins Street, Collinswood, SA.

15/9/1971        passed away
cremated in:     Centennial Park Cemetery
                       RSL Section, Wall 117, Niche C001
                       Interment Right Expiry - 17/09/2021    

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  4/6/2016.  Lest we forget.

Thank you to Kaye Bottrall, Jamestown, SA for her information.